Race Reports

STOP PRESS: the organisers of this event have acknowledged that one of the turns was misplaced, apologised and adjusted the times accordingly. It's about the best outcome in the circumstances, even if it's a bit Duckworth-Lewis. Well done everyone on your even better PBs and SBs. I'll leave my original report in, but have changed the results.
The good: nice day for it, scenic coastal run, good PB potential despite a couple of uphills towards the Marina, and a nice sprinkling of Windmilers with some great times; not forgetting good, friendly marshals. The bad: it was the talk of the finish zone, and of runnersworld.co.uk, but it seems very likely it was at least 0.4 of a mile too long. I was well on the way to smashing the 1hr35 barrier, but the mile markers got further and further out of sync with the garmin, and in the end I was just inside my PB, but 1hr35 was again out of reach. A problem with my Garmin? Well, loads and loads of people had the same problem. I don't think it's coincidence, and I think a lot of people have been cheated out of PBs after slugging their guts out; nasty headwind going west; rubbish goody bag full of advertising leaflets. The ugly: the organisers deny they've got it wrong in the face of the evidence. Won't be getting up at 5am to do this one again, thank you very much. If I've missed anyone out, apologies.

A cold day on the south coast for this very flat race along the sea front of Southsea.
Well organised friendly run.

Great event with a real sense of camaraderie and adventure in the snowy wastes of south west Surrey. As Keith has reported, under the 30 mile event results, we were well looked after with snacks available at the checkpoints and a hot meal at the end. All this and a commemorative certificate for the grand sum of £5 (£7 for non-LDWA).
Who needs a goodie bag!

Well done to all the ladies who have contributed to making the cross country team this season. We came 9th yesterday and have come 15th overall with a score of 1436. Patricia and Clare would like to thank everyone who has participated in cross country this season and hope you will all join us in September for the next season. Many thanks to John, where would we of been without your lovely cakes and hot drinks and to Kevin who has taken many photographs of all the races. Many thanks.

I never knew there were so many little hills in Nonsuch Park, including one annoyingly long one towards the end of each lap of this muddy two-lap race. It's actually billed as 2000 perch, which, with one perch equalling 5.5 yards, apparently, comes to 11,000 yards, 6.25 miles or 10.05k. But let's call it 10k shall we? Good Windmiler turnout, including marathon-bound Kevin Dendy going above and beyond the call of duty by running five miles to the park from home beforehand (he got a lift home, though). Also marathon-bound, John Carter treated the race as a tempo run and still came in third for the club. Sally Jones's entry was misread and she shall be know forever more as Sally James. Those of us of a certain age will swoon at that name. 381 finishers in total.

Another well marshalled parkrun.

212 runners gathered in cold sunshine to enjoy this monthly lunchtime race in Hyde Park organised by the Serpentine Running Club. An undulating picturesque single lap course takes you through the park and around the Serpentine.

7.5 miles, 1,700 feet of ascent.

This is the nearest fell race to London that exists and gives a taste of the sheer exhilaration of a properly hilly race, rather than just an undulating one.

It starts with a bottom to top ascent of Box Hill and then a furious descent back down, before ascending again to the full height. Flatter sections follow on broad tracks, but a third decent ascent awaits the runner towards the end, bringing all but the immortal to their knees. The finish takes you back down the nose of Box Hill as your quads rage from the hammering of the last hour. This is one not to miss and team prizes are to play for - Windmilers next year? We'd need a bigger line-up! Well done to Keith for being the first Windmiler home.

A very fresh morning, good running conditions. Mixture of tarmac and grass.